IPMAT Indore Exam 2026
IIM Indore has confirmed May 4, 2026, as the specific Monday that defines your academic future. This is the only gateway to the five-year Integrated Programme in Management. The margin for error? Non-existent.
Success here demands more than just solving math problems. It requires a strategy built on cold, hard data. The numbers from the last cycle are alarming. Out of thousands of applicants, only 301 General category candidates cleared the sectional cut-offs to reach the interview stage. That is a tiny fraction. Most aspirants fail not because they lack intelligence. They fail because they mismanage the specific constraints of the test.
You are competing against a system designed to filter you out. You need to understand the dates. You need to respect the selection metrics. You must analyse the cut-off trends.
IPMAT Indore Important Dates 2026
IIM Indore released the official exam date announcement on October 8, 2025. This early disclosure is rare. It sets the clock ticking for every serious aspirant. The application window is the next critical milestone. It is strictly defined. There are no late fees. There are no extensions.
The registration link will activate on the official website tentatively in February. You must complete the form. You must pay the non-refundable fee. You must do it before the window closes in March or April. Admit cards typically drop ten days before the exam. Do not wait for an email notification. Check the portal daily once the window opens.
Official Schedule:
Event | Date | Status |
Notification Release | October 8, 2025 | Released |
Registration Opens | February 2026 | Tentative |
Registration Closes | March 2026 | Tentative |
IPMAT Indore Exam | May 4, 2026 (Afternoon) | Official |
Admit Card Release | April 2026 | Tentative |
Result Declaration | June 2026 | Tentative |
Personal Interviews | July 2026 | Tentative |
Read More: IPMAT Indore Exam Date 2026, Check Application Deadlines
IPMAT Indore Exam Pattern 2026
The exam structure is rigid. It does not bend for anyone. You face 90 questions. You have exactly 120 minutes. There is no flexibility to switch between sections. The interface is locked.
Each section has a hard time limit of 40 minutes. You cannot carry over unused time. If you finish Verbal Ability in 30 minutes, you cannot use the remaining 10 minutes for Quant. The system forces you to wait. Then it moves you forward.
The Quantitative Ability (Short Answer) section is the differentiator. It offers no options. No A, B, C, or D to guess from. You must solve the problem. You must derive an integer. You must type it in. This section scares most students. But it carries a secret advantage. There is no negative marking here. It is a strategic goldmine. You can take risks without penalty.
Scoring & Marking Scheme:
- Total Marks: 360
- Correct Answer: +4 Marks
- Incorrect Answer (MCQ): -1 Mark
- Incorrect Answer (SA): 0 Marks (No Penalty)
Section | Time Limit | Questions | Question Type | Negative Marking |
Quant (SA) | 40 Mins | 15 | Type-in Answer | No |
Quant (MCQ) | 40 Mins | 30 | Objective | Yes (-1) |
Verbal Ability | 40 Mins | 45 | Objective | Yes (-1) |
Total | 120 Mins | 90 |
Read More: IPMAT 2026, Important Dates, Notification, Fees, Eligibility
IPMAT Indore Eligibility Criteria 2026
IIM Indore enforces strict parameters. You must meet both age and academic requirements. There are no exceptions. The institute verifies documents meticulously during the interview stage.
The age limit is the primary filter. It catches many unprepared aspirants off guard. For the 2026 cycle, General category candidates must be born on or after August 1, 2006. This means you must be 20 years or younger as of July 31, 2026. Even being one day older disqualifies you.
Academic history matters too. You must have passed Standard XII/HSC or an equivalent examination. You can be a graduate of 2024 or 2025. You can appear in 2026. All are eligible.
- General / NC-OBC / EWS: Born on or after August 1, 2006.
- SC / ST / PwD: Born on or after August 1, 2001.
- Standard XII: Passed in 2024, 2025, or appearing in 2026.
IPMAT Indore Selection Stages 2026
The Aptitude Test is only the first filter. It is not the final selection. The final merit list relies on a Composite Score. This is a weighted average.
The process is tough. You must clear the Sectional Cut-off in all three sections. High overall marks are useless if you fail a single section. You could score 100% in Quant. But if you miss the Verbal cut-off by one mark, you are out. Only candidates with positive raw scores and cleared cut-offs move forward.
The second stage is the Personal Interview. This is where your personality is tested. Shortlisted candidates face a panel of experts. They assess communication. They test confidence. They probe academic depth.
The final rank depends heavily on the exam. The Aptitude Test dominates the weightage. It accounts for nearly two-thirds of your final score.
- Aptitude Test Score (ATS): 65% Weightage
- Personal Interview (PI): 35% Weightage
Read More: IPMAT Indore Seats 2026, Reservation Criteria, Category-wise
IPMAT Indore Fee Structure 2026
The financial commitment is significant. The programme is fully residential. The fee reflects the premium infrastructure. It covers the dual-degree status.
The fee structure for the 2026-31 batch is detailed below. The costs are split. The first three years are priced differently from the last two. The MBA years follow the standard PGP fee structure of that future time.
Year-wise Fee Breakdown (Domestic Candidates)
Year | Course Fee | Mess Deposit | Caution Deposit | Insurance | Total Fee |
IPM-I (2026-27) | ₹6,00,000 | ₹54,000 | ₹50,000 | ₹679 | ₹7,04,679 |
IPM-II (2027-28) | ₹6,00,000 | ₹54,000 | - | ₹679 | ₹6,54,679 |
IPM-III (2028-29) | ₹6,00,000 | ₹54,000 | - | ₹679 | ₹6,54,679 |
IPM-IV (PGP-I) | As per PGP | As per Actuals | - | As per Actuals | PGP Fees |
IPM-V (PGP-II) | As per PGP | As per Actuals | - | As per Actuals | PGP Fees |
- Mess Deposit: Adjusted against actual bills.
- Caution Deposit: Refundable after course completion.
- Course Fee (Years 4 & 5): Will match the prevailing PGP fees at that time.
Registration Fee:
- General / NC-OBC / EWS: ₹4,130
- SC / ST / PwD: ₹2,065
Read More: IPMAT Fees 2026, College-Wise Structure & Course Fees
IPMAT Indore Category-wise Cut-offs
By analysing the 2025 cut-offs. They reveal a harsh reality. The "Short Answer" section is the primary point of rejection.
For General category aspirants, the minimum ATS score required to get an interview call was 41.55. The topper scored 89.24. But look closer at the sectional breakdown. The cut-off for QA (SA) was 24 marks. That is just six correct questions.
It sounds easy. It is not.
Most students fail to find those six doable questions. They get stuck on hard problems. They panic. In Verbal Ability, the bar is much higher. You needed 112 marks. That is 28 correct answers. Speed is non-negotiable here.
Official 2025 Cut-offs:
Category | QA (SA) | QA (MCQ) | Verbal Ability |
General | 24 | 28 | 112 |
EWS | 16 | 18 | 87 |
NC-OBC | 12 | 15 | 78 |
SC | 12 | 10 | 65 |
ST | 8 | 6 | 48 |
Read More: IPMAT Cut Off 2026, IIM Indore, Rohtak & Bodh Gaya Trends
IPMAT Indore Section-wise Syllabus 2026
IIM Indore does not publish an official syllabus. However, previous year papers define the scope. We know what they ask. We know what they ignore. The Quantitative Ability section is not just simple arithmetic. It focuses heavily on higher mathematics. You must be comfortable with advanced concepts.
Quantitative Ability (SA & MCQ) Arithmetic dominates the MCQ section. But Algebra is the king of Short Answers. You cannot escape it.
Topic | IPMAT Syllabus: Sub-Topics |
Number System | Remainder, HCF & LCM, Properties of a Number, Finding Unit Digit, Surds & Indices, Successive Division, Divisibility, Simplification, Concept of Factor |
Algebra | Algebraic Formulae, Linear Equations, Quadratic Equations, Logarithm, Inequalities, Functions & Graphs |
Geometry | Basics of Geometry, Angles, Triangles, Quadrilaterals, Polygons, Coordinate Geometry, Circle, Height & Distance, Mensuration |
Arithmetic | Time, Speed & Distance, Work & Time, Percentages, Profit & Loss |
Higher Math | Matrices & Determinants, Vectors, Set Theory, Trigonometry |
Verbal Ability (MCQ) This is not a simple grammar test. It assesses your ability to process dense information quickly.
Topic | IPMAT Syllabus: Sub-Topics |
Reading Comprehension | Long passages, Topics range from Economics to Philosophy, Tests inference and the main idea |
Grammar | Sentence Correction, Subject-Verb Agreement, Tenses, Parallelism |
Vocabulary | Etymology (Roots), Synonyms/Antonyms, Idioms, Word Usage |
Verbal Reasoning | Para-jumbles, Para-completion, Logical Consistency |
Read More: IPMAT Syllabus 2026, Download Section-Wise Topics PDF
How to Prepare for IPMAT Indore 2026?
You cannot rely on one strong subject. That is a critical mistake. You must clear cut-offs in all three. If your Quant is weak, devote 60% of your time to it. Failing the QA (SA) cut-off disqualifies you instantly. It does not matter if you score perfect marks in Verbal.
Prioritise Sectional Balance. Identify your weakness immediately. Work on it. Do not ignore it. The exam will find your weak spot. It will exploit it. You need to be average in everything and excellent in something. You cannot afford to be below average anywhere.
Master the "No-Option" format. Practice Algebra and Arithmetic without looking at options. The Short Answer section demands precision. Train to derive the final integer value. Since there is no negative marking here, attempt every doable question. But accuracy is key for the raw score. This section is often where the cut-off is missed.
Drill Full-Length Mocks Start mocks in February 2026. Align them with the official exam slot. These conditions affect your brain. You need peak performance during the actual test hours. Analyse every mock. Identify time-wasting questions. You have only 40 minutes per section. Speed is currency.
Read Aggressively For Verbal Ability: Reading speed is everything. Read editorials. Read The Economist. Get comfortable with abstract topics. The goal is to read, comprehend, and answer 45 questions in 40 minutes. It is a sprint.
IPMAT Indore Exam 2026: Conclusion
To do well in the IPMAT Indore 2026, candidates need a balanced approach. It's important to focus on all three sections equally and manage your time well. The Quantitative Ability (SA) section can be tough, but it has no negative marking, so it’s a great chance to take some risks. Verbal Ability, on the other hand, needs fast reading and understanding to meet the required accuracy. Practising regularly with mock tests and working on your weak areas will increase your chances of doing well.
Preparing for the IPMAT Indore 2026 should be planned and based on data. Look at past cut-offs, understand how each section is weighted, and create a solid study plan. Don’t just focus on doing well in one section make sure you clear the cut-offs for all. With the right plan, regular practice, and thorough revision, you can increase your chances of getting into IIM Indore’s top Integrated Programme in Management.
